SACRAMENTO - The Suns' regular-season finale Wednesday night could have been a what-if night as they watched the shooting guard they passed on in the draft. Sacramento's Ben McLemore, a No. 7 pick, posted a season-high 31 points. But not when they feel just as strongly about their rookie shooting guard from the No. 29 pick.

Archie Goodwin obliterated his season high with 29 points off the bench to help the Suns close the season with a 104-99 victory over the Kings at Sleep Train Arena.

In a season that was pegged to be full of meaningless games, the Suns had only one and still made it feel meaningful by having their rookie leave them longing for more next season, just as the team did by going 48-34 to tie the 2007-08 Golden State team for the most victories by a non-playoff team in the 16-team playoff era of the past 30 years.

With those playoff opportunities already gone because of three consecutive losses coming into the finale, Suns coach Jeff Hornacek started a regular lineup, except for Gerald Green in for Goran Dragic, who was hobbled by a sprained ankle, but went liberally to his seldom-used bench players. Goodwin made the most of it, making 11 of 13 shots from the field with every made shot coming on layups or dunks until he made a 3-pointer for a 99-94 lead with 3:13 in the game.

Despite having a 5-for-36 3-point-shooting season, Goodwin still enjoyed an earlier play more — the one that he said got his night going. Goodwin was isolated with McLemore guarding him on the wing. Reading the defensive overplay on the Suns' set, Goodwin blew by him to the baseline side for a slam through McLemore's foul that followed his and-one drive on the previous play.

"After that, I was just playing off confidence and energy from my teammates on the bench, and Coach (Hornacek) was giving me confidence," Goodwin said. "I told myself I was going to do something like that today. My teammates knew I was going to get a lot of minutes. I knew I was going to play a lot, so I knew I was going to try to leave it with a good effect on the season."

Goodwin's lineups energized the Suns in both halves, and he scored 10 of the Suns' final 15 points of the game.

Goodwin's previous season high was 16 points, twice, one of which came at Sacramento in November. He made 52 appearances this season, averaging 9.8 minutes until 31-minute opportunity Wednesday night.

"The more I play and the more I get comfortable, I feel like I can do things like this every night," Goodwin said. "It's just a matter of me playing and getting more time and experience on the court and being in good positions where I can make myself successful."

The Suns' other first-round pick, center Alex Len, was the No. 5 choice who the Suns selected over McLemore.

His season was hampered from the beginning by off-season ankle surgeries and he had a more difficult time getting acclimated to game play Wednesday night because of conditioning, going 0 for 4 from the field with four rebounds and two turnovers in 16 minutes.

"They've all been working out, except for when you're 7-1, it's a little tougher," Hornacek said. "I think he got winded. When you get tired, it affects a lot of your game — your jumping, your thought process. But he'll be fine. He's young. He's working on his game. With a summer of strength and conditioning and quickness, he'll come back great next year."

Hornacek gave Goodwin credit for the way he studied from the sidelines and for being one of his players who knows the team playbook the best.

Whether it was D-League assignments, brief action or Wednesday night's game, the staff had emphasized defensive improvement and consistent attention and effort the most with him. That was better Wednesday, although he had five fouls, with some on McLemore 3-point shots.

More nights like that is going to make so many teams wonder how they let the 19-year-old slip to No. 29.

"Whether they feel it or not, they're going to get this work," Goodwin said.

Suns forward Marcus Morris, coming off four quiet offensive games, also finished with the season with a 22-point, six-rebound game in his 31 minutes off the bench.

Report

Key player:Suns rookie guard Archie Goodwin made 11 of 13 shots for 29 points, 13 more than his previous season high.

Key moment:Tied at 94, Markieff Morris found Goodwin cutting for a go-ahead layup, and Goodwin followed with a rare 3-pointer.

Key number:1 Games that the Suns finished behind eighth-place Dallas, which beat the Suns on Saturday night.

View from press row:For much of the season, Suns coach Jeff Hornacek made a conservative estimate that 47 wins would get his team in the playoffs. Down the stretch, he amended to 49. That was the number, as the Suns' 48-34 season had more than twice as many wins as it was supposed to have but one fewer than the eighth spot. It's easy to regret the unexpected losses. Just remember they had some unexpected wins, too. "They laid it all out there, and now we can grow from that," Hornacek said.

Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (16) falls in front of minority owner Mark Mastrov and family after being fouled on a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena on April 16, 2014. (Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Sacramento mayor and retired NBA player Kevin Johnson is recognized during a timeout during the second quarter in the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Arena on April 16, 2014. (Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Sacramento mayor and retired NBA player Kevin Johnson is recognized during a timeout during the second quarter in the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Arena on April 16, 2014. (Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)